The State Department just made one thing very clear: The U.S. will never recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The department released a statement from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Wednesday calling on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea. Pompeo wrote, "Russia has acted in a manner unworthy of a great nation and has chosen to isolate itself from the international community."

Russia invaded the Ukrainian region in 2014 and has maintained what it calls legitimate control of Crimea.